Christie's latest ad touts working with Democrats

By MELISSA HAYES

state house bureau |

The Record

Governor Christie’s campaign released its sixth television ad ahead of the general election, this one focusing on the Republican’s work with Democrats.

The ad, titled “Bipartisan,” began airing just hours after Christie criticized members of both parties in Congress for failing to reach a budget agreement that would have avoided the federal government shutdown that went into effect at midnight.

The 30-second clip is part of a $1.5 million ad buy the campaign made last week, which has also featured an ad attacking Christie’s Democratic opponent Barbara Buono and another highlighting his support of sending non-violent drug offenders to treatment programs instead of prison.

“Every accomplishment we’ve had in New Jersey – cutting taxes, cutting spending, improving education, tenure reform, pension and benefit reform – everything we’ve done has been a bipartisan accomplishment,” Christie says in the ad. “It’s my job to make sure that that compromise happens. You see, as long as you stick to your principles compromise isn’t a dirty word.”

Christie has repeatedly touted his willingness to work with Democrats during his first term in office and has said in the past that New Jersey could set an example for Washington politicians.

The ad is airing in the New York City and Philadelphia media markets and on statewide cable. The governor has spent more than $3 million on television ads for the general election so far. He’s ahead of Buono, a Middlesex County state senator, in fundraising and maintains a more than 20 point lead in the polls. Buono has yet to air any television ads.

The Buono campaign refuted claims that Christie is representing all New Jerseyans.

"On any number of issues important to New Jerseyans, Governor Christie has been out of step with the majority of the state. From opposing a woman's right to choose to vetoing marriage equality to siding with the gun lobby, Chris Christie has consistently taken right-wing positions that put his presidential prospects ahead of what's right for New Jersey."

However on Monday, Christie criticized both Republicans and Democrats in Congress as the federal shutdown loomed saying “everybody’s handled it poorly.”

“If I were down there, I’d say, ‘Listen, seven hours to go everybody. Guess where you’re spending the next seven hours: Right here in the Roosevelt Room,” Christie said when asked at an event in Red Bank what he would do if he were president.

Christie, who many see as a potential presidential candidate in 2016, said New Jersey could serve as an example to the nation.

“If we can do it here, with the angry, nasty people we have in New Jersey, for God’s sake, you can do it anywhere,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd in Red Bank.

Christie’s office sent out an email Tuesday morning in response to the federal shut down highlighting how Christie worked with Democrats and Republicans to pass the state budget, which went into affect July 1.

“If you don’t remember much from our budget debate, that’s understandable, because it was done with little fanfare, partisan fighting or media coverage,” the email said. “Instead, Governor Christie and the Democratic-led legislature worked together, compromised and came up with a bipartisan product that all sides agreed upon.”

Christie's latest ad touts working with Democrats

Governor Christie’s campaign released its sixth television ad ahead of the general election, this one focusing on the Republican’s work with Democrats.

The ad, titled “Bipartisan,” began airing just hours after Christie criticized members of both parties in Congress for failing to reach a budget agreement that would have avoided the federal government shutdown that went into effect at midnight.

The 30-second clip is part of a $1.5 million ad buy the campaign made last week, which has also featured an ad attacking Christie’s Democratic opponent Barbara Buono and another highlighting his support of sending non-violent drug offenders to treatment programs instead of prison.

“Every accomplishment we’ve had in New Jersey – cutting taxes, cutting spending, improving education, tenure reform, pension and benefit reform – everything we’ve done has been a bipartisan accomplishment,” Christie says in the ad. “It’s my job to make sure that that compromise happens. You see, as long as you stick to your principles compromise isn’t a dirty word.”

Christie has repeatedly touted his willingness to work with Democrats during his first term in office and has said in the past that New Jersey could set an example for Washington politicians.

The ad is airing in the New York City and Philadelphia media markets and on statewide cable. The governor has spent more than $3 million on television ads for the general election so far. He’s ahead of Buono, a Middlesex County state senator, in fundraising and maintains a more than 20 point lead in the polls. Buono has yet to air any television ads.

The Buono campaign refuted claims that Christie is representing all New Jerseyans.

"On any number of issues important to New Jerseyans, Governor Christie has been out of step with the majority of the state. From opposing a woman's right to choose to vetoing marriage equality to siding with the gun lobby, Chris Christie has consistently taken right-wing positions that put his presidential prospects ahead of what's right for New Jersey."

However on Monday, Christie criticized both Republicans and Democrats in Congress as the federal shutdown loomed saying “everybody’s handled it poorly.”

“If I were down there, I’d say, ‘Listen, seven hours to go everybody. Guess where you’re spending the next seven hours: Right here in the Roosevelt Room,” Christie said when asked at an event in Red Bank what he would do if he were president.

Christie, who many see as a potential presidential candidate in 2016, said New Jersey could serve as an example to the nation.

“If we can do it here, with the angry, nasty people we have in New Jersey, for God’s sake, you can do it anywhere,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd in Red Bank.

Christie’s office sent out an email Tuesday morning in response to the federal shut down highlighting how Christie worked with Democrats and Republicans to pass the state budget, which went into affect July 1.

“If you don’t remember much from our budget debate, that’s understandable, because it was done with little fanfare, partisan fighting or media coverage,” the email said. “Instead, Governor Christie and the Democratic-led legislature worked together, compromised and came up with a bipartisan product that all sides agreed upon.”